Series production of best-selling ŠKODA OCTAVIA began 20 years ago

12/09/2016

​20
years ago, on 3 September 1996, former Czech President Vaclav Havel gave the
starting signal for the production of the ŠKODA OCTAVIA in the newly opened
part of the plant at the company's headquarters. This also marked the beginning
of a unique success story: Over the following two decades, the ŠKODA OCTAVIA
became a worldwide bestseller and is still the best selling model of the brand
from Mladá Boleslav. The popular compact car paved the way for ŠKODA’s success.

In February 1995 in Mladá Boleslav, the foundation stone for the new production line was laid, on which the first ŠKODA OCTAVIAs would be produced around 18 months later. For the new series ŠKODA built a modern production line in a 32,000-square-meter hall. In addition, a total of 2,500 square meters of office space and 3,000 square meters of social areas were created. In March 1996, the new paint shop was completed, where up to 1,800 bodies of model series ŠKODA FELICIA and ŠKODA OCTAVIA would be painted every day.

On 3 September 1996, former President of the Czech Republic Václav Havel inaugurated the new plant and also officially gave the go-ahead for the series production of the ŠKODA OCTAVIA. “The plant is beautiful, modern, really pretty. It would be great if all factories looked like this.” – Havel’s words of praise at the opening ceremony.

The development of the completely new OCTAVIA model series began in 1992, approximately one year after the traditional Czech brand joined the Volkswagen Group. The ŠKODA OCTAVIA was based on a Group platform which was completely new at the time. The robust body structure, which had been developed using the latest CAD (Computer Aided Design) technology, provided exemplary active and passive safety in combination with front airbags for driver and passenger. In addition, this was the first time that ŠKODA had offered the then new side airbags for the OCTAVIA.

With the clever liftback solution, the new compact featured an especially practical highlight: Thanks to the large tailgate of the hatchback model, customers benefited from
excellent access to the 528-litre boot, which could be extended to as much as 1,328 litres by folding the rear seats down.

In 1996 – the first sales year – ŠKODA OCTAVIA customers could choose from two four-cylinder petrol engines or a turbodiesel drivetrain. In May 1998, the ŠKODA OCTAVIA COMBI extended the model range; from 1999 the estate version was also available with all-wheel drive. The last vehicle from the first generation rolled off the production line in November 2010. Between September 1996 and November 2010 around 970,000 saloons and more than 470,000 estates were delivered.

The second-generation ŠKODA OCTAVIA seamlessly continued the success story of its predecessor: Between 2004 and 2013, 1.6 million customers opted for the saloon, 900,000 buyers chose the ŠKODA OCTAVIA estate. The third generation of the ŠKODA OCTAVIA has been in production since November 2012. Today the bestseller is considered the heart of the brand and is extremely popular both as a family car and as a company vehicle.

Since the start of production of the first generation on September 3, 1996, more than five million ŠKODA OCTAVIAs have left the production halls. In addition to the main plant in Mladá Boleslav the compact is also manufactured at the ŠKODA plants in China, India, Russia and Kazakhstan.

ŠKODA has announced pricing and specifications for the Kodiaq SportLine – the next exciting addition to the brand’s multi-award-winning SUV range. Set to deliver a sporting edge to the line-up, the SportLine model will be offered with six different engine and transmission options to provide customers with the broadest possible choice.

The ŠKODA Kodiaq has added to its remarkable collection of industry accolades with a new title: TopGear Magazine Family SUV of the Year. Having already been crowned one of the magazine’s Best Cars in the World in 2016, ŠKODA’s innovative seven-seater SUV has reinforced its reputation as the most complete offering in the sector with its 2017 title.

The independent European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) has assessed the ŠKODA KAROQ. The compact SUV is the Czech car manufacturer’s latest model to receive the five-star rating, making the KAROQ one of the safest compact SUVs on the road today.

On course for a record once again: Together with its production partners worldwide ŠKODA AUTO has already produced one million vehicles this year, making it the fourth year in a row that the number of vehicles rolling off the production line has reached seven figures. Never before has this milestone been achieved as early as in October of a calendar year. The ŠKODA models OCTAVIA, FABIA and SUPERB have made the greatest contribution to this success. Additionally, the large SUV, the ŠKODA KODIAQ, promises further growth for 2017. The ŠKODA KAROQ will also provide impetus for growth. The company is currently introducing the compact SUV to the markets, thereby continuing its SUV campaign.

ŠKODA’s award-winning Kodiaq range is set to earn its badges with the arrival of a new Scout model. Priced from £32,330 and positioned between the SE L and Edition models, the Scout is the first new addition to the Kodiaq range since the seven-seater SUV arrived earlier this year.

Ordering for one of 2017’s most anticipated new arrivals – the all-new ŠKODA Karoq – opens today (Tuesday 3 October). Priced from £20,875, the all-new SUV sets new standards for value, comfort and equipment in what is one of the busiest and most competitive sectors of the new car market.